Teetotum | n. [ For T-totum. It was used for playing games of chance, and was four-sided, one side having the letter T on it, standing for Latin totum all, meaning, take all that is staked, whence the name. The other three sides each had a letter indicating an English or Latin word; as P meaning put down, N nothing or L. nil, H half. See Total. ] A child's toy, somewhat resembling a top, and twirled by the fingers. [ 1913 Webster ] The staggerings of the gentleman . . . were like those of a teetotum nearly spent. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ] |